Football Coach Who Started Shenedehowa Program In 1968 Set To Retire

CLIFTON PARK — Shenendehowa High School Football coach Brent Steuerwald will announce his retirement from the program tomorrow, sources confirm. The 2011 season will be his last coaching the Plainsmen. Steuerwald, who was inducted into the Shenendehowa Hall of Fame in 2009, has coached the school’s football team since the program’s inception in 1968.

The Shenendehowa Athletic Department has planned a press conference at 3 p.m. Thursday “for a major announcement involving the future of the Shenendehowa Football Program.”

Steuerwald began his coaching career as Olean High School’s varsity line coach in 1957. In 1963 he became Glens Falls varsity line coach and stayed there until 1967. During this period he became the first athletic director at Shenendehowa High School and started the school’s football program, where he has remained as head coach for 43 years.

Under Steuerwald, Shenendehowa won three consecutive state championships in 1982, 1983 and 1984. They were New York State runner-ups in 1992 and state finalists from 1995-2002. They have won 10 Section II Championships and 25 Section 2 AA/Empire League Championships.

Last year Steuerwald received the 2010 Power of Influence Award — the highest honor a high school football coach can receive — in addition to several other accolades over the years. He was named New York State Champion Coach of the Year in 1981, and has been named as Area Coach of the Year 19 times. He’s won Region One National

Coach of the Year five times. In 1982, 1988, 1992 and 1995 he was named by the New York State Coaches Association as Coach of the Year, and in 1982, 1983, and 1984 was named Coach of the Year by the New York State Sports Writer’s Association. From 1987 to 2009 Steuerwald served as president of the Capital District chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, and in 1994 received their distinguished Leadership Award for Contribution to Amateur Football.

As Steuerwald begins his final season, his incredible lifetime record stands at 307-87-4.